Coppell-DeSoto, Hebron-Cedar Hill feature some of Texas' top playoff match-ups

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Ricky Moon/Ricky Moon/Special Contributor

DeSoto's Desmon White, right, stiffarms Mansfield's Davante Owens, left, in the first quarter of play during a Novembrer game at DeSoto's Eagle Stadium. White has helped lead DeSoto's offense into the second round of the playoffs.

Coppell vs. DeSoto

AT&T Stadium, 2 p.m. Saturday

Two of the state’s best teams square off in an interesting battle of styles. Defense and a strong running game have been strengths for Coppell (9-1). Running backs Charles West and Gavin McDaniel each average more than eight yards per carry, while senior defensive end Solomon Thomas was just named a finalist for the 2014 U.S. Army Player of the Year. But those were some of the same strengths that Coppell had last season, when DeSoto steamrolled it in a 42-14 area round game at Allen. Quarterback Desmon White (TCU pledge) has orchestrated the fast-paced, Oregon-esque offense of DeSoto (11-0) beautifully all season, helping it average 588 yards and 55.3 points per game. Last week, in a 67-21 win over Copperas Cove, DeSoto had an eye-popping 813 yards of offense, with running backs Jaimon Peterson and Larry Nixon combining for 354 rushing yards and seven scores. Coppell will need a fast start from its defense, because it can’t match that type of offensive production.

DeSoto 35, Coppell 24

Hebron vs. Cedar Hill

AT&T Stadium, 8 p.m. Saturday

No transfer has made as much of a difference as Hughes, who came to Hebron (8-3) from Waxahachie over the summer. Hebron coach Brian Brazil said Hughes morphed the focus of Hebron’s offense into a power running attack. A 6-0, 210-pound senior, Hughes averaged averages nearly 20 carries per game, rushing for 1,369 yards and 14 scores. He accounts for 43 percent of Hebron’s total yards and more than half of the carries. Brazil said he quickly earned the respect of his teammates with his hard-nosed running style. “Treyvon gets stronger as the game goes on, and that’s good for us,” Brazil said. Expect Hebron to use Hughes heavily in order to shorten the game, especially if it leads after half. The explosive offense for Cedar Hill (9-2) rallied back from a 21-point halftime deficit last week against Temple, with RB Aca’cedric Ware and WR DaMarkus Lodge both scoring two second-half touchdowns in a 39-35 win.

Cedar Hill 35, Hebron 17

Frisco Centennial vs. South Oak Cliff

AT&T Stadium, 9 p.m. Thursday: Along with Frisco, Centennial (9-2) is trying to be the first Frisco ISD school to make the third round in three straight seasons. SOC (10-1) is the only area team with a 2,000-yard passer (Kenneth Arthur II), 1,500-yard rusher (Jordan Stevenson) and 1,000-yard receiver (Fonzale Davis).

SOC 30, Centennial 28

Mesquite Poteet vs. Woodrow Wilson

AT&T Stadium, 6 p.m. Friday: In last week’s 17-2 win over Frisco Wakeland, Poteet (10-1) had its lowest point and yardage production of the season. The option-read attack of Woodrow (10-1) rolled in the bi-district round, with QB Da’Montae Bright and RB Tracy James combining for 296 yards and six TDs.

Poteet 48, Woodrow 21

Allen vs. Mesquite Horn

Cotton Bowl (Ch. 21, KEOM-FM 88.5): The only thing that might slow the offense of Allen (11-0) is inclement weather; and rain is expected for Friday’s game, played on natural grass. Horn (9-2) had a 28-point first-quarter outburst in last week’s 42-14 win, two scores on long passes from Destri White.

Allen 52, Horn 21

Ennis vs. Lovejoy

Waxahachie’s Lumpkins Stadium (KBXD-AM 1480): Last week, Jah’shawn Johnson scored on an 80-yard punt return and 60-yard catch, while Terence Williams scored on a 70-yard run for Ennis (11-0). Lovejoy (8-3), which rallied from a 22-point deficit to beat Hallsville, will alternate QBs Chochy Luce and Dakota Michaels.

Ennis 45, Lovejoy 35

McKinney North vs. Mansfield Legacy

Kincaide Stadium (KLAK-FM 97.5): Ronald Jones, a senior RB for North (7-4), broke the 2,000-yard barrier last week. Legacy (9-2) had three players rush for 100 yards last week against Tyler John Tyler.

Legacy 35, North 21

Argyle vs. Melissa

Prosper’s B.W. Durham Stadium: Cole Hedlund made five field goals last week for Argyle (11-0), setting the national record for career FGs (51) in the process. In its two losses this season, Melissa (9-2) had a total of seven turnovers. Argyle is outscoring opponents 429-20 in the first half.

Argyle 56, Melissa 21

McKinney Boyd vs. Longview

Richardson’s Wildcat-Ram Stadium, 4 p.m. Saturday (KLAK-FM 97.5): Boyd (7-4) will need a big game from RB Dedrick Scrivens — who has scored in seven straight games — in order to have a shot at the upset. Longview (10-1) forced six turnovers against Rowlett last week, with senior safety Laurent Johnson registering 18 tackles.

Longview 42, McKinney Boyd 28

TCA-Addison vs. Bishop Dunne

Corsicana’s Tiger Stadium, 1:30 Saturday: This is a TAPPS 1-I rematch won by TCA (8-3). In that win, TCA RB Nahshon Ellerbe scored three times, getting 34 carries for 145 yards. Dunne (7-4) won its first playoff game in more than a decade last week. Notre Dame pledge WR/CB Nick Watkins caught two TD passes in the 46-23 win over San Antonio Antonian.

TCA 38, Dunne 35

Skyline vs. Sachse

Cotton Bowl, 4:30 Saturday (KXEZ-FM 92.1): Skyline (10-1) has made the regional round in five of the last six seasons, while Sachse (11-0) has never gotten that far. Expect dynamic quarterback play from Skyline’s Sederian Copeland and Sachse’s Kent Myers. They have combined for 70 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing scores.

Skyline 42, Sachse 35

Euless Trinity vs. Mansfield Timberview

AT&T Stadium, 5 p.m. Saturday: Both teams rely on power rushing games and strong defense. Trinity (9-2) has won nine straight, averaging 359.5 yards rushing per game this season. Timberview (8-3) is second among remaining area 5A teams, allowing just 223.2 yards per game.

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